A NEW fund is now in place to support low-income households in Devon who face sudden financial difficulty.

The Crisis and Resilience Fund replaces the Household Support Fund, which ended in March 2026.

It is not a direct replacement. Instead of automatic payments, the new fund offers targeted support for low‑income households experiencing an unexpected financial shock, such as a sudden loss of income or an essential cost they cannot afford.

It also aims to work with those households to build longer‑term financial stability.

The fund is backed financially by the UK Government for the next three years, with around £8.4 million a year available across Devon, excluding Plymouth and Torbay who have their own separate Crisis and Resilience Funds.

Support includes crisis payments for people in immediate need, including help for low-income households that rely on heating oil.

It also covers housing support, replacing district council discretionary housing payments, alongside financial advice and wider support to help people avoid future crises.

Funding will also be used to strengthen local community services and support networks across Devon.

Anyone facing sudden financial difficulty can contact their local district council to find out how to access their local Crisis and Resilience scheme, https://devon.cc/crf, or they can speak to Citizens Advice Devon at www.cabdevon.org.uk.

Devon Community Foundation will continue to receive funding to support communities that may not be reached through other schemes.

Since 2022, Devon Community Foundation’s Food, Fuel and More programme has distributed more than £1.5 million to community groups supporting people facing cost‑of‑living pressures.

The charity will also run a new Community HeLP grant scheme to support community projects such as budgeting support, community food and fuel schemes, energy advice, digital inclusion and job clubs.

Work is also underway to better connect councils and voluntary and community organisations, so people can get the right help more easily and do not have to tell their story more than once.

Councillor Cheryl Cottle‑Hunkin, Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs and Broadband, said: ‘The new Crisis and Resilience Fund will help low-income households who find themselves in sudden financial difficulty, particularly in rural areas where everyday costs can be higher.

‘This support is about offering practical help at the right time, while also making sure people have access to advice and local services that can help them feel more secure in the longer term.

‘By working closely with councils and community organisations, we want to make it as easy as possible for people to get the support they need’.